Spatial logical toy

ABSTRACT

A three-dimensional puzzle bearing a shape of a cube comprises cubiform elements joined together so that outer faces of the cubiform elements comprise respective surfaces of the cube. A plurality of n indicia are arranged in rows or columns on each outer face of the cubiform elements. The plurality of indicia comprise a plurality of unique attributes selected from a group of n attributes. A selected surface of the cube may be relatively rotated for moving the associated rows or columns from one surface to another surface. The puzzle is in a solved condition when at least one surface bears indicia wherein at least one row or one column of cubiform elements bears one of each indicia with no duplicate indicia.

BACKGROUND

This invention relates generally to an interactive, three-dimensional Sudoku-based puzzle game, and more particularly to a three dimensional Sudoku-based puzzle bearing the shape of a cube.

Sudoku is a logic puzzle, also known as number place, wherein a player enters numerals into a grid of puzzle elements, which are blank spaces or cells. The grid is usually a nine-by-nine grid and thus includes 81 spaces to be filled in by the player. In this arrangement, the puzzle elements are subdivided into nine boxes, with each box containing a three-by-three sub-grid of puzzle elements. Generally, the aim of the puzzle is to enter a numeral from 1 (one) through 9 (nine) in each puzzle element of the grid. Sudoku begins with some of the puzzle elements already filled in with numbers (the “givens”), which provide clues to the solution of the puzzle. In the completed puzzle, a number should appear only once in each row, column and three-by-three sub-grid. Knowing this, and taking the givens into account, the player can deduce which numbers must go into the blank cells until the entire grid is filled. Sudoku requires applying principles of logic including deduction and induction.

A Rubik's cube is a spatial logical toy consisting of a number of elements which form a cube in the assembled state. The toy elements, themselves substantially in the shape of small cubes, are connected by a pivot mechanism in the geometric center of the large cube. The pivot mechanism allows each of the six faces of the large cube to be rotated independently. The surfaces of the small cubes forming each surface of the large cube can be colored or carry numbers, figures or any other symbols which can be used to determine the proper orientation of the toy elements in the solution of Rubik's cube. By varying the colors, figures, numbers or other symbols on the outer surfaces of the toy elements, one can create innumerable possible variations of the original Rubik's cube puzzle.

There is a desire to integrate a logic puzzle game that is ordinarily embodied in a two-dimensional Sudoku puzzle into a three-dimensional spatial logical toy, such as a Rubik' cube.

SUMMARY

A three-dimensional puzzle bearing a shape of a cube is provided. The puzzle comprises cubiform elements joined together to form an integrated puzzle body so that outer faces of the cubiform elements comprise respective surfaces of the cube. Mutually perpendicular axes intersecting at a centroid of the cube pass orthogonally through a center point of each surface of the cube. A plurality of n indicia are arranged in rows or columns on each outer face of the cubiform elements, the plurality of indicia comprising a plurality of unique attributes selected from a group of n attributes. Integrally formed cam elements are configured to connect the cubiform elements for retaining rows of cubiform elements in engagement with one another, yet allowing relative movement of one of a selected row with respect to an adjacent row. Integrally formed cam elements are configured to connect the cubiform elements for retaining columns of cubiform elements in engagement with one another, yet allowing relative movement of one of a selected column with respect to an adjacent column. The integrally formed cam elements allow relative rotation of a selected surface of the cube, the relative rotation being about one of the axes at one selected time for moving the associated rows or columns from one surface to another surface. The outer faces of a row or a column of cubiform elements display a group of n rows or n columns of indicia, each row or column beginning and ending at the edge cubiform elements of a surface of the cube and traversing the faces of the row or column of cubiform elements. At least one surface of the cube bears indicia with at least one row or one column of cubiform elements bearing one of each indicia with no duplicate indicia when the puzzle is in a solved condition.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a more complete understanding of the present invention, reference should now be had to the embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings and described below. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a puzzle in a solved condition according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the puzzle shown in FIG. 1 and partially unfolded to render all sides of the puzzle visible.

FIG. 3 is an elevation view of a face of the puzzle show in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a tree diagram of the puzzle shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a tree diagram of another embodiment of a puzzle in a solved condition according to the present invention.

FIG. 6 shows how a piece of the puzzle can be rendered on a display screen if and when the puzzle is implemented by a computer system.

FIG. 7 is an elevation view of a face of another embodiment of a puzzle according to the present invention.

DESCRIPTION

Certain terminology is used herein for convenience only and is not to be taken as a limitation on the invention. For example, words such as “upper,” “lower,” “left,” “right,” “horizontal,” “vertical,” “upward,” and “downward” merely describe the configuration shown in the FIGs. Indeed, the components may be oriented in any direction and the terminology, therefore, should be understood as encompassing such variations unless specified otherwise.

Referring now to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals designate corresponding or similar elements throughout the several views, an embodiment of a puzzle according to the present invention is shown in FIG. 1 and generally designated at 20. The puzzle 20 comprises a plurality of three-dimensional cubiform puzzle elements 22 of substantially uniform size. For clarity, only a few of the cubiform puzzle elements are designated by the reference number 22 in each of the FIGs. The cubiform puzzle elements 22 are linked together to form the puzzle 20 in the shape of a cube, such that the outer faces of the cubiform elements 22 comprise the respective six surfaces A-F of the cube (FIG. 2). More specifically, each cubiform element 22 has at least one face that is visible and forms a part of one of the six surfaces A-F of the puzzle 20. As seen in FIG. 1, each surface A, B, D of the puzzle 20 bears nine visible faces of the cubiform puzzle elements 22. Each of the center cubiform elements 24 exposes only a single face in a respective puzzle surface A-F. Edge cubiform elements 22 include center edge cubiform elements 26, which expose two adjacent faces, and corner edge oriented cubiform elements 28, which expose three edge faces and form corners of the puzzle 20.

Referring to FIG. 3 showing one surface A as exemplary, each surface A-F of the puzzle 20 is arranged in nine vertical columns C₁-C₉ and nine horizontal rows R₁-R₉. Mutually perpendicular axes of rotation x,y,z emanate from the center of the puzzle 20 and pass orthogonally through the respective center points of each respective surface A-F of the cube. As is known in the art, this arrangement enables a player to rotate any of the six surfaces A-F about the axis that is perpendicular to and passes through the center of the given surface. Rotation of any surface A-F of the puzzle 20 changes the relative position between the puzzle elements 22. A player can rotate a selected set of three columns, for example C₁-C₃, relative to an adjacent set of three columns by imparting rotation about either the y-axis or the x-axis, and can rotate a selected set of three rows, for example R₁-R₃ relative to an adjacent set of rows by imparting rotation about the z-axis.

In one embodiment, each of the visible faces of the cubiform puzzle elements 22 bears nine attributes selected from a family of nine unique attributes. The attributes are displayed on each face of the cubiform elements 22 in a 3×3 grid. In the embodiment shown, the attributes are single digit natural numbers 1-9. Every row R₁-R₉ and every column C₁-C₉ contains nine digits. Thus, each surface A-F of the puzzle 20 bears 81 of the single digit natural numbers 1-9 disposed in a 9×9 array. In other words, there are nine columns and nine rows of attributes displayed on each of the surfaces A-F of the cube. Because rotation of any set of three columns or three rows of the puzzle 20 changes the relative position between the puzzle elements 22, the relationship of the attributes are also rearranged. When the puzzle 20 is in one embodiment of a solved condition, each row R₁-R₉ and each column C₁-C₉ on every surface A-F of the puzzle 20 will have only one of each of the single digit natural numbers 1-9 thereby meeting the restrictions required of a solved Sudoku puzzle.

While the present embodiment includes selecting single digit natural numbers as attributes, it is understood that any other type of unique indicia, or combinations of indicia, could be chosen as the attributes and displayed on the faces of the puzzle elements 22. For example, the attributes may be colors, shapes, symbols, signs, figures, characters, alphabet letters, textures, icons, images of either imaginary or real objects, or combinations thereof A set of attributes may also include symbols of identical shape, but of different color or orientation, or may be a set of images representing different objects belonging to a common category. In one embodiment of the present invention, the indicia indicating the attributes within a set of nine unique attributes may be identical from set to set such that every displaying face contains one set of attributes. As described, one example is the set of single digit natural numbers 1 to 9, which will be used for the purpose of this description.

The indicia may be applied to the faces of the puzzle elements 22 by printing, stamping, stenciling or other similar means. Alternatively, the indicia can be marked on paper, or similar material, and the paper applied to the puzzle elements 22 using adhesive. If plastic or other moldable material is used to form the puzzle elements 22, the indicia may be molded onto the puzzle elements. The indicia may be impressed or raised. The latter adapts the puzzle 20 for use by blind persons since they would be able to feel the raised individual indicia.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the set of attributes may be replaceable and means may be provided for attaching and detaching a selected set of attributes to the visible faces of the cubiform elements 22. For example, flat magnetic strips may be used wherein the cubiform elements 22 are provided with compatible magnetic display faces. Other suitable attachment and detachment means may be used, including hook-and-loop fasteners on the faces and fabric-like elements bearing the attributes, adhesive elements which are attached and removed as desired, prefabricated reusable or disposable stickers bearing the attributes, and the like.

Yet another embodiment includes providing cubiform elements 22 wherein the visible faces comprise an erasable writing surface, which allows for drawing the desired attributes with a drawing device, such as a felt-tipped marker, and erasing the attributes if desired using, for example, a wet-wiper.

In a solution to the puzzle 20 according to the rules of Sudoku, the puzzle elements 22 of each surface A-F should be arranged so as to display in each column C₁-C₉ and each row R₁-R₉ only one instance of each of the nine different attributes. FIG. 2 shows the puzzle 20 in a solved condition with the surfaces C, E, F “unfolded” so that one may view all of the surfaces A-F in a single view. As shown, each of the surfaces A-F bears 81 numbers. In this view, the rows R₁-R₉ and columns C₁-C₉ on every surface are visible and contain only one of each of numbers 1-9 with no duplicates.

To solve this embodiment of the puzzle 20, initially the player considers the center cubiform elements 24, which do not change position although they may rotate. Thus, the center cubiform elements 24 display a set of attributes in a 3×3 grid, which provides clues to the player for defining a specific solvable puzzle 20. The player is left to deduce the correct placement of the remaining puzzle elements 22. Accordingly, the remaining puzzle elements 22 are rearranged by rotating surfaces A-F, and thus columns C₁-C₉ or rows R₁-R₉, in any direction along the spatial axes of the cube to change the relative position between the puzzle elements 22 and thus change the relative position of the attributes. Several combinations become possible in compliance with the contents yielded by the attributes.

Although there are many possible strategies, one strategy involves first placing the center edge elements 26 in their proper positions based on the clues deduced from the center cube elements 24. Referring to FIG. 4, a puzzle 20 is shown in a solved condition, including a center edge element 26 e that cannot be placed with any other center cubiform element 24. We explicitly demonstrate this for two of the five other center cubiform elements, designated at 24 a and 24 f, respectively. More specifically, the puzzle element 26 e cannot be placed above or below the puzzle element 24 a because there would be two “6's” in the sixth column C₆. Further, the puzzle element 26 e cannot be placed to the right or left of the puzzle element 24 a because there would be two “6's” in the fourth row R₄. There are also other conflicts shown in FIG. 4, which are not mentioned herein. Referring to center cubiform element 24 f, the puzzle element 26 e cannot be placed above or below the puzzle element 24 f because there would be two “9's” in the fourth column C₄. The puzzle element 26 e cannot be placed to the right or left of the puzzle element 24 f because there would be two “4's” in the sixth row R₆.

Thus, the puzzle 20 shown in FIG. 4 can be solved by examining a face of a center edge element 26 and determining to which center element 24 the subject edge element may be adjacent. Determining whether the center edge element 26 is placed above or below the proper center element 24 can be based on orientation of the numbers on the puzzle elements 22 or based on an examination of the other faces of the center edge elements 26. Corner puzzle elements 28 may be placed in their proper positions after the center edge elements 26 have been properly placed.

A more difficult embodiment of the puzzle 20 is shown in FIG. 5. Only the top-most surface D as seen in FIGS. 4 and 5, has been changed as compared to the embodiment of the puzzle shown in FIG. 4. However, this embodiment of the puzzle 20 includes more apparent ambiguity on the placement of the center edge elements 26. Although the puzzle 20 is shown in a solved condition, this ambiguity can only be resolved by examining both display faces of each of the center edge elements 26, or by the orientation of the attributes on one of the faces. For example, the top center edge cubiform element 26 d can also apparently be placed above the center cubiform element 24 a on a different surface A of the puzzle 20. The ambiguity would presumably make the puzzle 20 more difficult to solve. Several ambiguities of this type further increase the difficulty of solving the puzzle. In FIG. 5, there are two additional ambiguities related to the center edge elements 26. The center edge element 26 f can be placed to the right or to the left of the center cubiform element 24 d. Similarly, the center edge puzzle element 26 f′ can also be placed to the right or left of center puzzle element 24 d. Such ambiguities may be resolved by examining the other faces of each center edge puzzle element 26. For example, the puzzle element 26 f′ is only one of two adjacent visible faces of a single center edge element 26. The other visible face of this puzzle element is designated as 26 c. Puzzle element 26 c can only be placed above or below the center puzzle element 24 c as seen in FIG. 5. Because 26 f′ and 26 c are two faces of a single center edge puzzle element 26, correctly placing 26 c restricts the placement of 26 f′ and resolves the apparent ambiguity when considering puzzle element 26 f′ in isolation.

In use, rotation of a surface A-F of the puzzle 20 also rotates the associated center puzzle element 22. Because a solution to the puzzle 20 requires that the numbers in columns and rows be properly oriented, rotation of the center puzzle elements 22 creates further potential difficulties to the solution to the puzzle 20. In one embodiment of the puzzle 20, an indicator or other marking may be provided on the face of each center puzzle element 24, wherein the proper orientation of the center puzzle elements 24 is given by the nature of the indicator. A suitable indicator for the center puzzle elements 24 may be color, wherein the attributes or background of each center puzzle element 24 has a unique color. Alternatively, the central cubiform elements 24 may be marked with four colored marks on each edge, each corresponding to the color of the center cubiform elements 24 on adjacent surfaces A-F when the puzzle 20 is in a solved condition. To ensure the player can properly orient the center elements 22 of the puzzle 20, a set of instructions would explain how color correlates with orientation. It is understood that additional or other instructions relating to the orientation of the center cubiform elements are possible.

It should be understood that the puzzle 20 may include numerous levels of difficulty to the solved condition. The most difficult solved condition has been described, wherein the solved condition requires each of the rows R₁-R₉ and the columns C₁-C₉ of the six puzzle surfaces A-F bear one of each of the single digit natural numbers 1-9 with no duplicates. A less difficult solved condition of the puzzle 20 is one wherein all of the rows R₁-R₉ and columns C₁-C₉ of at least one surface of the puzzle 20 bears each of the nine numbers with no duplicates. Increased difficulty of the solved condition occurs when the rows and columns of more than one of the surfaces A-F bears each of the numbers with no duplicates. A player could opt for an even easier solved condition, wherein only certain rows or columns, for example R₁-R₃ or C₁-C₃, or just a single row or column, contains the nine attributes with no duplicates. A more difficult game, of course, is to combine two or more of these requirements (rows, columns, surfaces) into the required solution.

In another embodiment, a timer (not shown) may be used to provide an indication of the time lapsed in solving the puzzle 20, for example, for competitive puzzlers or to signify the completion of a pre-set time period. One example is a miniature music-generating device having a built in timer. The device is activated upon commencement of the working of the puzzle 20 and is played continuously for a set period, and the puzzler attempts to complete assembly of the puzzle 20 before the music stops.

It is understood that larger or smaller cubes can be created and solved according to the principles of Sudoku as described and shown in the previous embodiments. Such cubes can range from 2×2×2 to as much as 11×11×11. For example, a 4×4×4 puzzle 100 is shown in FIG. 7. In this embodiment, each outer face of the cubiform elements 22 displays a 4×4 grid of sixteen unique indicia. The rows and columns of the puzzle 100 may be rotated in attempting a solved condition of the puzzle 100 in the same manner as described herein. Cuboids with different functional dimensions are also possible for use as a Sudoku-based puzzle, including 2×3×4, 3×3'35, and 2×2×4, as are cubes that have been extended or truncated to form a new shape.

It should be noted that in addition to a physical manifestation of the puzzle and pieces, the invention as contemplated can include computerized or virtual manifestations in which the puzzle pieces are rendered on a computer display or video monitor, and the pieces can be manipulated by a user using an input device or input devices. In such cases a personal computer system, for example system 40 of FIG. 7, may be used to implement an embodiment of the invention. Such a system typically includes display 42, a keyboard (not shown), and a processing platform 44, which renders images, for example the puzzle 20, on the display. The renderings may change, move, engage, disengage, etc., in response to user input via the keyboard, or another device such as a joystick or game pad. A game system, which is typically a specialized processing platform which uses a television or video monitor as a display can also be used. Also, it is understood that although the puzzle 20 is depicted as a regular geometric solid, the visual manifestation of the puzzle 20 on the display 42 could appear two-dimensional.

In any of the above cases, it should be noted that a computer program product including computer software program instructions can control a processor to carry out embodiments of the invention. The computer programs can reside on any medium that can contain, store, communicate, propagate, or transport the program for use by or in connection with any type of computing platform or game system. Such a computer readable medium may be for example, but is not limited to, an electronic, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, infrared, or semiconductor system or device, for example, CD-ROM 48, which can be loaded into the computer system 40 via slot 50. Computer program instructions, which implement the invention, may also be embodied in a stream of information being retrieved over a network such as the Internet. Note that the computer usable or computer readable medium could even be paper or another suitable medium upon which the program is printed, as the program can be electronically captured via, for instance, an optical scan, then complied and interpreted, or otherwise processed in a suitable manner.

Although the present invention has been shown and described in considerable detail with respect to only a few exemplary embodiments thereof, it should be understood by those skilled in the art that we do not intend to limit the invention to the embodiments since various modifications, omissions and additions may be made to the disclosed embodiments without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of the invention, particularly in light of the foregoing teachings. For example, small and large cubes can be created and solved according to the principles of Sudoku as described and shown herein, as well as cuboids with different functional dimensions and shapes. Accordingly, we intend to cover all such modifications, omission, additions and equivalents as may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the following claims. In the claims, means-plus-function clauses are intended to cover the structures described herein as performing the recited function and not only structural equivalents but also equivalent structures. Thus, although a nail and a screw may not be structural equivalents in that a nail employs a cylindrical surface to secure wooden parts together, whereas a screw employs a helical surface, in the environment of fastening wooden parts, a nail and a screw may be equivalent structures. 

1. A three-dimensional puzzle bearing a shape of a cube, the puzzle comprising: cubiform elements joined together to form an integrated puzzle body so that outer faces of the cubiform elements comprise respective surfaces of the cube, mutually perpendicular axes intersecting at a centroid of the cube and passing orthogonally through a center point of each surface of the cube; a plurality of n indicia arranged in rows or columns on each outer face of the cubiform elements, the plurality of indicia comprising a plurality of unique attributes selected from a group of n attributes; integrally formed cam elements are configured to connect the cubiform elements for retaining rows of cubiform elements in engagement with one another, yet allowing relative movement of one of a selected row with respect to an adjacent row; and integrally formed cam elements are configured to connect the cubiform elements for retaining columns of cubiform elements in engagement with one another, yet allowing relative movement of one of a selected column with respect to an adjacent column, wherein the integrally formed cam elements allow relative rotation of a selected surface of the cube, the relative rotation being about one of the axes at one selected time for moving the associated rows or columns from one surface to another surface, wherein the outer faces of a row or a column of cubiform elements display a group of n rows or n columns of indicia, each row or column beginning and ending at the edge cubiform elements of a surface of the cube and traversing the faces of the row or column of cubiform elements, and wherein at least one surface of the cube bears indicia with at least one row or one column of cubiform elements bearing one of each indicia with no duplicate indicia when the puzzle is in a solved condition.
 2. The puzzle as recited in claim 1, wherein each surface consists of 9 cubiform elements displaying a 3×3 array of outer faces.
 3. The puzzle as recited in claim 2, wherein n is 9, and the indicia are arranged on each outer face in a 3×3 grid.
 4. The puzzle as recited in claim 1, wherein n is 9, and the indicia are arranged on each outer face in a 3×3 grid.
 5. The puzzle as recited in claim 1, wherein the indicia comprise single digit natural numbers.
 6. The puzzle as recited in claim 1, wherein the attributes are selected from the group of visual, audible, or tactile attributes.
 7. The puzzle as recited in claim 1, wherein the rows and columns of indicia displayed on at least one row or column of cubiform elements on a surface of the cube bear one of each of the indicia with no duplicate indicia when the puzzle is in a solved condition.
 8. The puzzle as recited in claim 1, wherein the rows and columns of indicia displayed on at least one surface of the cube bear one of each of the indicia with no duplicate indicia when the puzzle is in a solved condition.
 9. The puzzle as recited in claim 1, wherein all of the rows and columns of indicia on all surfaces of the cube bear one of each of the indicia with no duplicates when in the solved condition.
 10. The puzzle as recited in claim 1, wherein a central cubiform element of each surface includes an indicia for determining a proper orientation of the central cubiform element with respect to other surfaces of the cube. 